Senior Planning Lawyer

Government Legal Department (GLD); Bristol; On-site; GBP 71,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading government department is seeking a Senior Planning Lawyer to oversee various aspects of legal planning. This role involves providing expert legal advice on public law issues, developing planning policy, and leading a team of junior lawyers. Ideal candidates will possess substantial experience in public and planning law, along with strong analytical and leadership skills. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to significant government projects in a dynamic legal environment.

Benefits

Civil service pension

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Established planning lawyer with sound knowledge of public and planning law.
• Minimum 2.1 honours degree or strong legal qualifications.
• Experience in supervising staff and drafting statutory instruments is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for a legal planning portfolio including Environmental Assessment and Development Management.
• Develop and support a small team of junior lawyers.
• Provide high-quality legal advice within the planning context.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Leadership

Education

Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales

2.1 Honours Degree or equivalent

Graduate Diploma in Law - if applicable

Job description

Senior Planning Lawyers, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Bristol, Leeds, London, Manchester

£74,000 London

£71,000 National

The Government Legal Department (GLD) is the largest provider of legal services across government, working with all the main Whitehall departments. From energy to security, from roads to rivers, health to human rights, our work touches on most aspects of public life. From developing and drafting legislation to helping to secure economic and trade relationships, providing legal advice on polices to ensuring value from contracts, our work is stimulating and varied.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is dedicated to changing and improving lives in the UK. It is central to mission-driven government, from fixing the foundations of an affordable home to handing power back to communities and rebuilding local government. MHCLG is at the heart of government decision-making on planning, housing, homelessness, regeneration, community integration and cohesion, whilst leading on devolution to local authorities and simplification of their funding. We have an unparalleled programme of legislation, both primary and secondary

Your role

As an experienced planning lawyer with a good understanding of public law, when you join the team you’ll take responsibility for a number of areas within the legal planning portfolio such as Environmental Assessment, Nationally Significant Instructure Projects, Development Management, New Towns, changes to the National Planning Policy Framework or Biodiversity Net Gain. You’ll work on developing planning policy and legislation and will provide high quality advice within the planning context on public law issues such as conflict of interest, freedom of information, , devolution and the public sector equality duty.

You’ll have a wide range of additional responsibilities including, developing and supporting a small team of junior lawyers and building and maintaining strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders.As a member of our collective leadership you’ll be expected to contribute to the cultural and corporate life of the directorate, work that could include, for example, helping to develop our legal learning syllabus.

About you

To be a success in this important role you’ll be an established planning lawyer with a sound understanding and knowledge of public and planning law gained through advising clients and conducting cases across a broad range of issues. With significant experience of working in a busy, diverse team, and the ability to multi-task and prioritise when faced with competing deadlines, your excellent powers of analysis and sound legal judgment will see you producing timely and fit for purpose, risk-based advice.

A strategic and creative thinker with excellent interpersonal, communication and coaching skills, the following qualities would also be desirable:

• experience of supervising staff
• experience of drafting statutory instruments
• the ability to provide advice on Bills

You’ll be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales, and will have completed a training, contract, pupillage or qualifying employment, or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx. You’ll also need a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree in any subject in your first degree (or its overseas equivalent), or evidence of high-level academic or professional achievement, such as a Graduate Diploma in Law, Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course, any of which must be underpinned by practical experience.

Chartered Legal Executives are eligible to apply where a qualifying law degree is held or the Graduate Diploma in Law has been completed, or where CILEx Level 6 exams have been passed at 50% or above in Contract Law, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts Law, European Union Law, Land Law, Public Law and the Law of Tort

Benefits

GLD encourages its people to develop their skills in a nurturing environment. Other benefits include access to a valuable civil service pension and flexible working arrangements.

Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.